Success Story: TTF

Summary

Innovative Thai events organizer, TTF, uses Matterport 3D cameras and digital twin technology to operate virtual exhibitions that augment its in-person events. This extends the potential audience and extends the longevity of the exhibition. Visitors enjoy an enhanced experience, while exhibitors can continue to drive interest long after the physical exhibition has been dismantled.

Challenge

TTF is Thailand’s leading exhibition and conference producer. Based in Bangkok, Thailand, TTF works across a number of B2B marketing sectors, building its reputation over 40 years of experience in producing and hosting live events. For many years, the TTF team questioned whether digital exhibitions could compete with physical events.

When the COVID-19 pandemic made travel and live events more difficult or, at times, impossible, TTF revisited its assessment of online exhibitions. After looking at Matterport’s digital twin technology, TTF realized that the question wasn’t digital or analogue? Rather, TTF now understood, the answer was both.

“TTF believes that Matterport technology can greatly enhance exhibitions, rather than compete with them,” states Mr. Supaman Munka, Deputy Managing Director at TTF. “We recognized that Matterport 3D tours represent an opportunity for those who cannot travel – whether they are located inside Thailand or further afield.”

Solution

By using Matterport cameras to record the exhibition, TTF can create a permanent record of the event. The images taken by the Matterport cameras are rendered as a 3D interactive virtual model of the exhibition, with floorplans, a bird's eye view and a walking tour view. Each view can be navigated independently by virtual visitors, effectively giving each visitor their own unique virtual exhibition experience.

For the last 37 years, TTF has consecutively hosted Architect Expo, Thailand’s premier architecture and building trade exhibition. 

“The day after the Architect Expo ends, everything gets dismantled; there’s nothing to see,” explains Supaman Munka. “Matterport technology helps to keep the exhibition available.”

In 2020, TTF reached out to its local Matterport partner, VRtTwinS3D. They specialize in building virtual businesses for real-world businesses, helping them to increase access, boost customer engagement and lead generation with virtual tours based on Matterport technologies. It proved to be an excellent partner for TTF to bring the Architect Expo alive in the virtual world and augment its success in the real world.

TTF and VRTwinS3D used Matterport Pro3 cameras and a 360 Drone to record the built exhibition space. This was then rendered as a fully interactive 3D virtual exhibition experience.

Results

Because the Matterport 3D virtual experience includes options to navigate via the birds’ eye view, by walking around the exhibition floor or using the floorplan, it offers visitors more dimensions to explore.

“Now visitors and exhibitors can explore every dimension, including the products on display!” says Supaman Munka. Matterport even offers the possibility of embedding files, including PDFs and videos, in the 3D model, adding extra levels to the virtual experience.

Matterport has proved great for extending the experience for visitors. For those who attend in person, they can see the space before they visit to plan their day. Then, after the exhibition had closed in the real world, visitors can continue to tour the virtual exhibition online, thereby extending the life of the exhibition, enhancing the visitor experience and boosting the return on investment for exhibitors. 

“Our exhibitors see significant benefits from our use of Matterport,” confirms Supaman Munka. “We can show their booth’s layout and compare it with their competitors. And they and the exhibition organizers can analyze the data to understand which booths or products attract the largest target audience.”

Matterport is also brilliant for extending the reach of the exhibition, because people who otherwise would be unable to attend in person can attend virtually.

“Our use of Matterport means visitors can continue to visit our exhibition online even after the event,” enthuses Supaman Munka. “It’s especially helpful for those who cannot attend in person. It helps us to reach a broader audience.”

By enhancing the visitor and exhibitor experience, Matterport helps to empower TTF’s sales team. They are more confident when promoting the event spaces because they can evidence how it truly benefits TTF’s clients. The Matterport 3D digital twins can also be used to showcase the event spaces to new or prospective clients. 

Supaman Munka explains, “Especially for the Architect Expo where booth design is critical, Matterport technology can act as an online gallery, showcasing the creativity and design of the booths. It preserves the grandeur and details of the event effectively.”